16 Plot Lines

[LJH]

I am self indulgent I guess. By writing these editing tips etc, it reinforces the fact that I am still learning. I should be.

 

TURNING IDEAS INTO STORIES

An idea is not a plot!

a. Plot is all about conflict

b.Plot is action- reaction

c.Plot is built on events that will have important, life changing consequences.

d. A central conflict is vital.

 

If your plot is properly constructed by cause and effectit will automatically consist of a BEGINNING, MIDDLE and END.

 

Plot moves the world in your story. Without plot, you have free-verse poetry. Plotting means laying out the framework of the entire story (including the ending) in 2 - 3 pages before actually starting the book. It is better not to write until you have an outline that you like. Publisher's Weekly reduces preview descriptions of new books to ONE sentence.

 

Can you sum up your book in one sentence? If you can't, you don't have a strong enough dramatic concept.

 

The 16 Plots

Some authors say there are 4 plots; others say there are 2000. whoever's correct, there's nothing new in plotting. The only edge you have is your style and strength of story telling techniques.

 

1. REVENGE

Every dog has his day. These books need characters with passion. The protagonist must lose something he holds dear. The antagonist must be believable., "The Count of Monte Christo" by ASlexandre Dumas, "The First Wive's Club" by Olivia Goldsmith

 

2. CATASTROPHE

When events beyond the characters control force them to rise abovethemselves. These books often involve acts of nature and are excellent fodder for Hollywood producers. "Independence Day, "Jaws" by Peter Benchley

 

3. ADVENTURE

Characters seek out adventure. Action packed drama. The multiple viewpoint is used and the story relies heavily on characterisation. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" "Titanic" "Twister" by Jack Bickham, "Shout at the Devil"by Wilbur Smith.

 

4. LOVE

The lover's tragedy. Heavilly character driven. Empathy with protagonist is essential. "Romeo and Juliet", "Love Story" by Erich Segal

 

5. THE CHASE

Pursuit. Strong characters with an unbending willand passion. "Black and Blue" by Ian Rankin, "The Bione Collector" by Jeffery Deaver, "The SIlence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris.

 

6. GRIEF AND LOSS

Tragedy. Character driven. "The Deep End of the Ocean" by Jacqueline Mitchard, "Beach Music" by Pat Conroy, "The Pilot's Wife" by Anita Shreve

 

7 REBELLION

The triumph of the underdog. These books often include our deepest fantasies - the things we would love to if we weren't afraid. "One Flew overe the Cuckoo's Nest" "Star Wars" "Rocky"

 

8.BETRAYAL

Stabbed in the back. Overlaps revenge. Character motivcation must be good. "First Wive's Club" "A Thousand Acres" by Jane Smiley.

 

9. THE QUEST

Finders keepers. A search for the truth or something that will change or save our world. "The Lord of the Rings" by J R R Tolkien

 

10. SELF SACRIFICE

This plot deals with characters who choose a moral position over comfort. As a result the plot develops as they are challenged over that position. Ironically, they land up being persecuted. "The French Lieutenant's Woman" by John Fowles, "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco

 

11. PERSECUTION

This plot is about what happens to characters. It involves people that are determined to live out a particular destiny and the plot involves how others change destiny. The way the story is told by a tale of self-sacrifice. 'Schindler's List" "Animal Farm" by George Orwell, "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway.

 

12. SURVIVAL

Is abiout a character who has tio survive a situation and developsto a point wherehe experiences deliverance. "Robinson Crusoe" by Defoe, "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith, "The Judas Child" by Carol O'Connell.

 

13. DELIVERANCE

Is about characters who seek personal salvation or deliverence and end up having their survival tested. "Trainspotting" by Irvine Welsh, "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver. These novels require excellent characterisation and detailed setting information.

 

14. RIVALRY

Is about playing to wqin. These books need strong characters with clear Motivations and adversaries. "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding, "Kane and Abel" by Jeffrey Archer.

 

15. DISCOVERY

Who am I? These stories are of character development that results in change and self - realisation. "The Horse Whisperer" by Nicholas Evans, "The Prince of Tides" by Pat Conroy, "The Cider House Rules" by Irving Stone, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

 

16. AMBITION

Machiavellian. The character often achieves his goals but at great personal loss. This plot also requires well moitivated characters.

 

 

 

[Nephylim]

TURNING IDEAS INTO STORIES

An idea is not a plot!

a. Plot is all about conflict

b.Plot is action- reaction

c.Plot is built on events that will have important, life changing consequences.

d. A central conflict is vital.

 

If your plot is properly constructed by cause and effectit will automatically consist of a BEGINNING, MIDDLE and END.

 

Plot moves the world in your story. Without plot, you have free-verse poetry. Plotting means laying out the framework of the entire story (including the ending) in 2 - 3 pages before actually starting the book. It is better not to write until you have an outline that you like. Publisher's Weekly reduces preview descriptions of new books to ONE sentence.

 

Can you sum up your book in one sentence? If you can't, you don't have a strong enough dramatic concept.

 

 

I have to admit that this is so not the way I write. However I can completely see the sense in it. Whether the categories are right or not I think is probably a subjective preference but I can see the sense in all of it.

 

It does make me feel kind of a fraud in that I never, ever plan anything. My stories usually starts with the characters and a basic scene in my head. I then sit down and start writing the characters and they kind of drag the story along behind them. Hmmm

Edited September 27, 2010 by Nephylim

[sat8997]

Everyone produces their version of art in the way that works best for them. :king:

[LJH]

yep - I don't plan anything - I allow the characters to sweep me into their world. That's why writing is fun. However, it might be a good thing to plan the plot one day and see how it pans out.

[Nephylim]

Well if it's anything like when I was at school and never wrote essay plans either... if I did write a plan I wouldn't actually get any further than writing the plan. Having said that I will give it a go one day just for you and let you know what happens

 

 

Actually, come to think of it, it might be fun to go through my stories and check off which plotlines, if any they contain and see if I can sum them up in a sentence. I may have more structure than I thought I did

 

 

Edited September 27, 2010 by Nephylim

[Tipdin]

Can I sum up my book in one sentence? Hmmmm, let's see.

 

An epic battle between good and evil, (of course) is fought across countless generations on a foreign planet, where even inanimate objects can have life and magical beings of every description live.

 

Long, but I think that's only one sentence!

[Cia]

Maybe someone else can sum my stuff up with a single sentence but I am not good at that sort of thing at all. I have to say I vary with the way I write. Sometimes I am reading and come across an idea, sometimes I'm thinking of a particular writing style or genre and fit something to that. It all depends. I've sat down with a blank document and just went with what came out, my first anthology was that way and so is the one I am currently writing. But I've a whole plot outlined and reseach points written down for a story for NaNo and I've a 10 chapter story with each chapter outlined and character write-ups waiting in the wings. So I guess I'm a mix.

 

 

I have to say though I've never sat down and tried to figure out what type of plot I was trying to enact with the story and what sort of effect that would have. I've not said, I'm writing a Grief/Loss story and I need to ensure that I have a fully fleshed main character in order to make that work. I'm simply not that technical. Also I have to say that while these might categorize certain stories 'best' I would hesistate to really pigeon-hole any story in a single one. If you think about it, self-sacrifice, persecution and survival all have considerable areas of overlap as well as mixes like love, rebellion and betrayal.

[AnytaSunday]

Oh, thanks for posting this. I wondered what the 16 plot lines are.

 

TURNING IDEAS INTO STORIES

An idea is not a plot!

a. Plot is all about conflict

b.Plot is action- reaction

c.Plot is built on events that will have important, life changing consequences.

d. A central conflict is vital.

 

If your plot is properly constructed by cause and effectit will automatically consist of a BEGINNING, MIDDLE and END.

 

I agree! Though, it's sometimes not so easy to do. Especially with the character driven novels, because the pacing is generally much slower.

 

 

Can you sum up your book in one sentence? If you can't, you don't have a strong enough dramatic concept.

 

Goodness, I hate whoever came up with this rule, lol.

 

Thanks for the post,

 

Anyta

[LJH]

wow - beautiful picture. Wish I was there. Ja, that one sentence synopsis really sucks - he he

[hh5]

I have to admit that this is so not the way I write. However I can completely see the sense in it. Whether the categories are right or not I think is probably a subjective preference but I can see the sense in all of it.

 

It does make me feel kind of a fraud in that I never, ever plan anything. My stories usually starts with the characters and a basic scene in my head. I then sit down and start writing the characters and they kind of drag the story along behind them. Hmmm

 

 

I have to agree that maybe it doesn't turn out that full intend to write by a specific plot and following it to the letter ... but in a sence you are developing a plot through the life of your characters ... you do go into the story with elements or feeling for what will happen ... maybe not realizing though until all said and done.